February 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Overview of science of killer whales in captivity from SMM meeting in Dunedin
by Marsh, Helene 24 Feb '14

24 Feb '14

The conference program stated that the panel discussion would be on "scientific studies of captive and free-living killer whales." The science was summarized in the opening presentation which has been posted on the SMM website. see http://www.marinemammalscience.org/images/stories/smm-2014-killer-whale-pan… Helene Marsh, President, Society for Marine Mammalogy Doug Wartzok, Chair, Committee of Scientific Advisors

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High school course - marine mammals in Maine (USA)
by Robin Hadlock Seeley 23 Feb '14

23 Feb '14

Join us for Marine Environmental Science -2 (BioSM 1620) this summer at the Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Maine. http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_mes2.html Dates: June 23 - July 7, 2014 University credits: - 3 (Cornell University) Location: Appledore Island, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Isles of Shoals, Maine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appledore_Island Students: high school students who have completed grade 10 Faculty: Dr. Nadine Lysiak, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute/Marine Studies Consortium Shoals Marine Lab is a residential island campus run by the University of New Hampshire and Cornell University since 1966 where students are immersed in the study of marine science. Register today! https://www.apply.sml.cornell.edu/registerwho/rwho_login.php We expect this class to fill quickly. Financial aid is available to all students. www.sml.cornell.edu<http://www.sml.cornell.edu> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Robin Hadlock Seeley, Ph.D. Assistant Director for Academic Programs Shoals Marine Laboratory Appledore Island, Maine Winter: 106A Kennedy Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14850 E-Mail: rhs4(a)cornell.edu<mailto:rhs4@cornell.edu> Mobile: 207-956-0815 www.sml.cornell.edu<http://www.sml.cornell.edu>

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Duke - Marine Conservation Summer Institute
by Doug Nowacek 21 Feb '14

21 Feb '14

We would like to announce a new program - Duke University Marine Conservation Summer Institute July 7- August 8, 2014 Duke University Marine Laboratory Beaufort, NC The Marine Conservation Summer Institute will immerse students in the world of marine conservation biology and policy, giving them a set of basic tools for addressing and understanding issues of conserving marine biodiversity in the context of 21st Century society and the ‘anthropocene’ epoch. The Institute is set in the vibrant educational and research setting of the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina. The five-week course consists of three weeks of plenary lectures, field trips and activities, and two intensive week-long modules intertwined in weeks two and four and led by experts in the field. Plenary weeks and modules will be focused on hands-on, team-based, experiential learning with meaningful faculty-student engagement that are hallmarks of the educational environment at the Marine Laboratory. Students will be in the field and at the discussion table, learning the basic tools of conservation biology and policy in the plenary weeks and delving deeply into special topics with experts during the module weeks. 2014 Themes: • Human Dimensions and the Marine Environment • Deep-Sea Conservation & International Ocean Governance • Invasive Species • Marine Vertebrate Conservation & US Oceans Law Duke Faculty Instructors: Doug Nowacek, Conservation Technology (Institute Director) James Kraska, International Law Andy Read, Conservation Biology, Marine Vertebrates Steve Roady, Environmental Law Cindy Van Dover, Deep Sea Ecology & Conservation Eligibility: Open to national and international practitioners, graduate students, advanced undergraduates. Credits: 7 credits, 2 course equivalents Tuition: $7,028 Room & Board: $2,340 Fees: $180.75 Books: $200 Questions? Contact mcsi(a)duke.edu Click here to enroll: Duke’s Marine Conservation Summer Institute www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/mcsi

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Colombia MMO & PAM wanted
by Emma Forrester - Hydenlyne 21 Feb '14

21 Feb '14

Good morning all, Hydenlyne is currently looking for Colombian MMOs & PAM operators. If you are Colombian or have experience as an MMO/PAM offshore Colombia (and speak Spanish) please reply with you CV asap. You must have valid offshore safety (BOSIET) and medical certificates and preferably seismic experience. Kind regards, Emma Forrester Project Manager UK Mobile +44 (0)7730222001 Office +44 (0)1202 900078 Hydenlyne 1 Princes Court Princes Road Ferndown Dorset England BH22 9JG

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PhD Announcement
by Alban Lemasson 21 Feb '14

21 Feb '14

Dear colleagues, We are planning to submit shortly an application to a French PhD grant program (CIFRE) in collaboration with Planete Sauvage dolphinarium, and we are looking for a candidate interested in dolphin communication. You can find attached the PhD announcement. Best regards, Alban Lemasson /EthoS - Ethologie animale et humaine Université de Rennes 1 - CNRS/

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New publication on Muscle histopathology provides evidence of ante-mortem injuries in a series of cetaceans with sharp trauma from ship strikes as the cause of death
by Eva María Sierra Pulpillo 20 Feb '14

20 Feb '14

Dear MARMAM subscribers: We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in PLoS ONE, on February 13, 2014: Sierra E, Fernández A, Espinosa de los Monteros A, Arbelo M, Díaz-Delgado J, et al. (2014) Histopathological Muscle Findings May Be Essential for a Definitive Diagnosis of Suspected Sharp Trauma Associated with Ship Strikes in Stranded Cetaceans. PLoS ONE 9(2): e88780. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088780 ABSTRACT: Ship strikes are a major issue for the conservation of may cetacean species. Certain gross and microscopic criteria have been previously reported for establishing a diagnosis of death due to ship strikes in these animals. However, some ship-strike injuries may be masked by advanced carcass decomposition and may be undetectable due to restricted access to the animals. In this report we describe histopathological muscular findings in 13 cetaceans with sharp trauma from ship strikes as the cause of death. Skeletal muscle samples were taken from the incision site and from the main locomotor muscle, the longissimus dorsi, in areas not directly affected by the sharp injury. The microscopic findings in tissues from both sites mainly consisted of haemorrhages; oedema; flocculent, granular or/and hyalinised segmentary degeneration; contraction band necrosis; and discoid degeneration or fragmentation of myofibres. We propose that skeletal muscle histopathology provides evidence of ante-mortem injuries even if the sample was taken elsewhere in the carcass and not only within or adjacent to the sharp trauma site and despite the advanced decomposition of some of the carcasses. This method helps to establish the diagnosis of ship strike as the cause of death. Full text is available at: is available online at: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088780 or alternatively, a pdf can be requested at: esierra(a)becarios.ulpgc.es[1] Best regards, Eva Sierra Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Forense Unit of Histology and Pathology Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA) Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) C/ Trasmontaña s/n 35413 Arucas (Las Palmas) España Vínculos: --------- [1] /hw123/imp/XSSCleanedpopup_imp('/hw123/imp/compose.php',700,650,'to=esierra(a)becarios.ulpgc.es');

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BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH ASSISTANTS REQUIRED IN THE SHANNON ESTUARY, IRELAND
by Shannon Dolphins 20 Feb '14

20 Feb '14

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH ASSISTANTS REQUIRED IN THE SHANNON ESTUARY, IRELAND The Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation (SDWF) is seeking research assistants to conduct boat- and office-based bottlenose dolphin research June-September 2014 in Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland. For more information about the SDWF see www.shannondolphins.ie The SDWF is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation and research of dolphins and wildlife in the Shannon Estuary with offices based in the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre, an interpretive centre open to the public and used to promote educational awareness of the dolphins and wildlife in the Shannon region. The SDWF was established by Dr Simon Berrow in 2000 following pilot work carried out by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) from 1993. The SDWF has a strong research background and has collaborated with a number of Irish and international research groups. Long-term monitoring of the bottlenose dolphin population in the Shannon has been carried out using photo-id since 1993 and static acoustics since 2001. The Shannon River estuary is presently the only candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bottlenose dolphins in Ireland and is home to a resident population of dolphins living year-round in the estuary. The SDWF is seeking voluntary research assistants for the 2014 field season to carry out dolphin research and education. Research assistants will be required to conduct monitoring surveys from dolphin-watching tour boats, spend a considerable amount of time on bottlenose dolphin photo-identification and related office tasks, and assist in the management of the dolphin centre on a daily basis. Photo-id training will be provided on the boats and in the office. A subset of research assistants will also assist with a PhD project on bottlenose dolphin social and foraging behaviour on board the RV *Muc Mhara* when weather conditions allow for fieldwork. This research will consist of boat-based photo-ID and behavioural observations of bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary and presents an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to a project with a strong scientific aim and a high conservation value. There may also be opportunities for assistants to help with research conducted on board the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's RV *Celtic Mist* and to assist the IWDG with cetacean strandings should the opportunity arise. These positions provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills in cetacean research and education and to assist with one of the longest-running bottlenose dolphin population monitoring programs in the world. WORK PERIOD 1 June 2014 - 28 September 2014 We are seeking skilled research assistants to commence on 1 June 2014. Research assistants are required full-time for four months, finishing 28 September 2014. Because of the training required, preference will be given to applicants who can commit to three or four months. However, those available for a shorter period of time will also be considered. LOCATION Research assistants will be based in Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland, a small town located in west Clare on the northern shore of the Shannon Estuary. The Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre is located less than 10 minutes' walk from the town centre. West Clare is a beautiful place to work, but applicants are asked to be aware that it is also somewhat geographically isolated with limited facilities and variable weather patterns. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Conducting monitoring surveys from two dolphin-watching tour boats operating in the Shannon Estuary, collecting photo-id data and recording data on tour boat encounters with dolphin groups. Surveys involve one to four daily boat trips and are weather dependent - i.e. many days in a row if weather is good. 2. Photo-identification and database entry in the office, including fin identification, fin-matching, photo processing, sighting data entry and maintenance of our long-term photo-id catalogue. Research assistants should be prepared to work long days in the office entering data and analysing and organising photographs, including working with historic archived photographs and related data. 3. Dolphin centre duties, including general administrative tasks, receiving visitors to the dolphin centre, engaging with and educating members of the public, managing merchandise, updating websites and supporting and promoting SDWF, and raising awareness and membership participation. Also, general maintenance of research equipment and facilities. 4. PhD research assistance (1) Field duties include conducting surveys and focal follows of bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary. Searching for and spotting dolphins, taking photos, recording video, making and recording field observations, photo-identification, driving the boat, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data entry. Expect early starts, cold weather, up to 12 hours on the water for multiple consecutive days, and up to a week between days off. (2) Office duties include photo-identification and database entry, including fin identification, fin-matching, photo processing, sighting data entry and maintenance of our long-term photo-id catalogue. Computer programs used for data are: FinBase, IMatch, Microsoft Access, Excel and Word. As boat-based research is highly weather dependent, it can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long, consecutive days, in the office during bad weather and in the field during good weather. Research assistants should be prepared to spend weeks at a time in the office when the weather is bad and many consecutive days on the boat when the weather is good. All volunteers will be given training in boat-based work and office tasks including observation and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins, photo processing and database entry. REQUIREMENTS Essential - Genuine interest in marine mammal biology, the marine environment and conservation - Basic computer proficiency in MS Office - Previous photo-identification experience or a strong desire to learn photo-id skills - Excellent verbal and communication skills - Enthusiastic with a positive attitude to hard work and long hours - Sociable and team-oriented with the ability to get on well with others in a small team (3-4 people) - Work well both in a team and independently - A detail-oriented work ethic with an ability to work in a meticulous manner - Conscientious, reliable, hard-working, and self-motivated - Flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent - Prepared to work long days in the field or office - Comfortable working on boats - No history of debilitating seasickness - Good English language skills - Must be 18 years or older Preferred but not essential - Enrolled in or completed a degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Animal Behaviour, Ecology, Zoology or related fields - Previous field research experience, especially in marine mammal research - Prior experience working on boats - A strong interest and knowledge of bottlenose dolphins and/or Irish cetaceans - Experience in interacting with the public - Familiarity with DSLR cameras and GPS equipment and software - Prior experience with MS Access and IMatch - Driving Licence (and possibility to bring your own car) - Possibility to bring your own laptop for data entry APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Research assistants will be based in Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland and will be expected to work and live as part of a team with shared cooking and cleaning duties. Unfortunately, there is no monetary compensation for these positions and a contribution towards accommodation and utilities is required. Accommodation is in a shared house within walking distance of the dolphin centre and town of Kilrush. Research assistants are responsible for their own food costs and travel expenses to and from Kilrush, Ireland. To apply, please send your CV (including two relevant referees and their contact information) and a covering letter with a brief description of yourself and what you hope to gain from this experience, details of why you would like to work on this specific project and any relevant experience you have to Isabel Baker (shannondolphins(a)gmail.com) by 6 March 2014. Please also specify the dates you expect to be able to join the project. Please put "SDWF Research Assistant" in the subject line of your email. APPLICATION DEADLINE 6 March 2014 The closing date for applications is 6 March 2014. However, early application is recommended. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a Skype interview in March.

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Postdoctoral opportunity in Texas
by Trumble, Stephen J. 20 Feb '14

20 Feb '14

Postdoctoral Research Opportunity Baylor University anticipates a postdoctoral researcher position starting summer 2014. Postdoctoral researcher will work under Dr. Sascha Usenko (analytical/environmental chemistry) and Dr. Stephen Trumble (integrative biology) to reconstruct lifetime chemical profiles in whale earplugs. Highly motivated candidates with a PhD degree in relevant science such as analytical/environmental chemistry and/or integrative biology will be considered. Successful applicants must possess a strong publication record and excellent English communication skills. Qualified applicant will be funded with competitive stipend, health benefits, and travel support to attend professional meetings. The duration of this position is anticipated to be one year, with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon performance. Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/whale<http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/whale>. For more information, please contact Dr. Usenko (Sascha_Usenko(a)Baylor.edu) and/or Dr. Trumble (Stephen_Trumble(a)Baylor.edu) Please use "Usenko-Trumble Post-Doc" in the subject line. Review of applicants will continue until the position is filled. Please apply at https://jobs.baylor.edu under vacancy number S022642 Baylor is a Baptist university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Baylor encourages minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities to apply. Baylor University provides access and training to state-of-the art research facilities situated in the newly opened $103 million Baylor Sciences Building. The researcher will be part of a multidisciplinary team of environmental chemists and biologists. [Doc - Apr 16, 2012 14-09.jpg]

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*ECS Workshop announcement: Estimating the probability of detection from passive acoustic data*
by Anna Cucknell 20 Feb '14

20 Feb '14

Hello ECS and MARMAM readers Apologies for cross posting. On Saturday 5th April 2014 at the upcoming European Cetacean Society conference in Liege a discussion workshop on "Estimating the probability of detection from passive acoustic data" will be held in the Aquarium. The workshop will cost 10 Euros and will run from in the afternoon from 1400-1800. Background: Assessing the status of cetacean populations, and the impacts of and level of risk associated with anthropogenic activities is hampered by limited abundance estimates for many areas. While abundance estimation by visual means is possible for cetaceans, surveys are often limited by weather conditions, eye height of observers, availability bias, high cost and observer inconsistency. For those species that vocalise routinely, passive acoustic techniques have been proposed as a more accurate and efficient method of detection and can be utilised in poor weather conditions and at night time. Absolute abundance and population estimates from acoustic data have been derived for animals which vocalise loudly and predictably, such as sperm whales. However for animals which do not vocalise constantly or produce vocalisations that may be relatively quiet or highly directional, the probability of detection, needs to be determined empirically in order to calculate absolute abundance or density estimates from acoustic edata. Abundance estimation using acoustic techniques rely on deriving a probability of detection which not only accounts for the amount of time an animal vocalises, but also accounts for those times when vocalisations might not be detected when animals orientate away from the hydrophone, temporarily reduce the source level of vocalisations or when the depth of a vocalising animal may influence likelihood of detection. Several research groups have collected acoustic data sets utilising static recorders or line transect methodologies and due to weather constraints, logistical limitations, poor planning or suboptimal sighting conditions, were not able to collect visual and / or acoustic data which would allow the probability of detection and the level of responsive movement to be characterised. These data could substantially increase our knowledge on the seasonal and regional abundance of species and inform critical conservation and management actions. Objectives: For this workshop we aim to bring together interested scientists in order to discuss and brainstorm methodologies suitable for providing probabilities of detection in order to 'unlock' the previously collected datasets, albeit with some caveats. Additionally we would like to stimulate discussion on the development of best practise for estimating probability of detection when acoustic data are being collected, especially for those areas and species where visual techniques are significantly constrained. The workshop will discuss methods to estimate the probability of detection for towed and static passive acoustic studies with particular focus on discussing the challenges animal group size, vocalisation depth, background noise and behavioural adaptations to vocalisation rate and detectability add to estimating the probability of detection. If you would like to attend or offer to do a presentation at the workshop please contact: <mailto:acuknell@mcr-team.org> acuknell(a)mcr-team.org.

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New publication on injuries in small cetaceans in the southern Caribbean
by Jolanda Luksenburg 20 Feb '14

20 Feb '14

Dear colleagues, I am happy to announce the publication of my paper on injuries in small cetaceans in the southern Caribbean: Luksenburg JA (2014) Prevalence of External Injuries in Small Cetaceans in Aruban Waters, Southern Caribbean. PLoS ONE 9(2): e88988. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088988 Aruba, located close to the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean and supports a wide range of marine-related socio-economic activities. However, little is known about the impacts of human activities on the marine environment. Injuries in marine mammals can be used to examine interactions with human activities and identify potential threats to the survival of populations. The prevalence of external injuries and tooth rake marks were examined in Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) (n = 179), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (n = 76) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) (n = 71) in Aruban waters using photo identification techniques. Eleven injury categories were defined and linked to either human-related activities or natural causes. All injury categories were observed. In total, 18.7% of all individuals had at least one injury. Almost half (41.7%) of the injuries could be attributed to human interactions, of which fishing gear was the most common cause (53.3%) followed by propeller hits (13.3%). Major disfigurements were observed in all three species and could be attributed to interactions with fishing gear. The results of this study indicate that fishing gear and propeller hits may pose threats to small and medium-sized cetaceans in Aruban waters. Thus, long-term monitoring of population trends is warranted. Shark-inflicted bite wounds were observed in Atlantic spotted dolphin and bottlenose dolphin. Bite wounds of cookie cutter sharks (Isistius sp.) were recorded in all three species, and include the first documented record of a cookie cutter shark bite in Atlantic spotted dolphin. This is one of the few studies which investigates the prevalence of injuries in cetaceans in the Caribbean. Further study is necessary to determine to which extent the injuries observed in Aruba affect the health and survival of local populations. The paper can be downloaded here: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0088988 Best wishes, Jolanda Jolanda Luksenburg, PhD Affiliate Professor George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and Policy E: j.luksenburg(a)yahoo.com W: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jolanda_Luksenburg/

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